ADVANCED QUALITATIVE METHODS

BUS5AQM

2015

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This subject will equip students with the necessary theoretical knowledge and data collection, storage, analytical, presentation and reflexive skills to design and execute an ethically-sound qualitative research study. The subject will enhance students' knowledge of the varied philosophical underpinnings, and methodological approaches to conceiving and designing qualitative research (e.g., using case studies, or ethnographies). Subsequent topics to be covered include: 1) How to write good qualitative research objectives and questions; 2) Common and innovative qualitative research methods - interviewing& focus groups, observational techniques, visual research methods, social media-based research; 3) How to record, store and manage data; 4) Approaches to qualitative data analysis (e.g., coding & categorisation, grounded theory development, discourse analysis), inductive and deductive logic; 5) Researcher ethics and reflexivity; 6) How to present qualitative research.

School: La Trobe Business School

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Jennifer Laing

Available to Study Abroad Students: No

Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters

Exchange Students: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: N/A

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Describe the range of assumptions, approaches, techniques and debates which make up the qualitative research tradition.

Activities:
Seminars, readings, class discussions
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)

02. Demonstrate high-level skills in qualitative data collection, storage, and analysis using varied data gathering and analytical techniques.

Activities:
Seminars, readings, class discussions and both assessment items.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)

03. Demonstrate high-level writing, speaking and critical thinking skills in presenting qualitative research data.

Activities:
Seminars, readings, class discussions and both assessment items.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)

04. Demonstrate awareness of key ethical issues in qualitative research.

Activities:
Seminars, readings, class discussions and both assessment items.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour)

Melbourne, 2015, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information:

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Jennifer Laing

Class requirements

Seminar
One 3.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
One 2500 word individual assignment (design and conduct qualitative interview or focus group)4001, 02, 03, 04
One 2500 word individual assignment (data transcription, analysis and write-up)4001, 02, 03, 04
One 1000 word individual reflexive written assignment (on elements 1 and 2)2001, 02, 03, 04